19 February 2015

 The Fair Work Ombudsman will visit Victoria’s Loddon and Campaspe shires and the Elmore region next week to help raise awareness among employers of their obligations under federal workplace laws.

Fair Work inspectors will contact up to 250 businesses at locations including Elmore, Kyabram, Leitchville, Rochester, Stanhope and Tongala.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says the aim is to ensure employers are aware of their workplace responsibilities and how her Agency can assist businesses to access, understand and apply information to build a culture of compliance.

“It’s important we check that workers are receiving their correct entitlements, but we also want to be pro-active about ensuring employers in these regions understand their obligations,” Ms James said.   

The campaign will focus on businesses from a range of sectors, including fast food, retail, accommodation and the dairy industry.

The dairy industry is a significant employer in the Campaspe shire and consistently generates requests for assistance from employees.

Fair Work inspectors will check employers are paying employees the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, allowances and loadings and are providing meal breaks.

Compliance with record-keeping and pay slip obligations will also be monitored.

Ms James says inspectors will work with employers in the region to rectify any non-compliance issues and put processes in place to ensure they get it right in the future.

They will also inform employers about the range of free tools and resources available on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website at www.fairwork.gov.au  to assist them to understand and comply with their obligations.

Online tools include calculators to determine the correct wages for employees, templates for time-and-wages records, an online learning centre and My Account, which enables employers and employees to save information on pay and conditions for their workplace.

Employers and employees seeking assistance can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman via the website or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. An interpreter service is also available by calling 13 14 50.

Small business employers calling the Fair Work Infoline can opt to receive priority service via the Small Business Helpline.

Follow Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James on Twitter @NatJamesFWO , the Fair Work Ombudsman @fairwork_gov_au or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fairwork.gov.au .

Media inquiries:

Tom McPherson, Media Adviser
Mobile: 0439 835 855
tom.mcpherson@fwo.gov.au

Media inquiries:

Nicci de Ryk, Senior Media Adviser
Mobile: 0466 522 004
nicci.deryk@fwo.gov.au